Crazy Smart Asia

From a visual development artist who’s worked on major Hollywood animations to a horror filmmaker terrifying audiences without the jump scares, season 11 of Crazy Smart Asia presents powerful lessons on work and life from Asia’s film industry leaders. Listen for five of the most powerful mindbombs from the season’s guests, designed to help you think bigger, braver and more creatively.If you enjoyed these short clips, why not go back and listen to the full episodes:Your music is only as good as your instincts, says composer Elliot LeungTaking Southeast Asian narratives to the world, with film producer Tan Si EnThe Projector effect: How Karen Tan built Singapore’s coolest cinemaAuditions, exorcisms and the art of reinvention, with writer and actor of “Good Cop/Bad Cop” fame Grace ChowBeyond jump scares: film director and writer Kenneth Dagatan on the art of terrifying audiences

“If you don’t start calling yourself an artist, no one will,” says Singaporean-Taiwanese actor and writer Grace Chow, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, the ‘Good Cop/Bad Cop’ star discusses how to cultivate and protect your creative outlook, how she landed her breakout role in Australian TV series ‘Mystery Road: Origin’ and why she was encouraged to be an exorcist when she was younger.00:00 Introduction to Grace Chow01:37 Quickfire Questions 03:33 Grace's Creative Childhood09:54 Pursuing Drama School16:58 Early Career Milestones18:52 Creating and Performing in shows20:13 The Joy of Performing20:58 Diverse Roles and Joy in Acting21:56 Mystery Road Origins Experience23:26 Good Cop, Bad Cop Audition25:06 Memorable Moments on Set27:41 Preparing for Auditions31:58 Asian Representation in Film35:31 Advice for Aspiring Artists38:52 Surprising Facts About Grace40:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

“The Projector is a space for people who are curious,” says Karen Tan, the co-founder of Singapore’s only independent cinema, The Projector, on Crazy Smart Asia. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, she discusses the benefits and challenges of disrupting a traditional industry, balancing creativity with business demands and why she lets people throw toilet paper at each other in her cinema.01:18 Quick Fire Questions with Karen03:02 Karen's Childhood and ADHD Journey06:10 Early Entrepreneurial Ventures09:29 From Architecture to Investment Banking12:07 The Birth of The Projector15:06 Discovering the Golden Mile Tower20:58 The Birth of an Independent Cinema21:47 Overcoming Initial Challenges22:35 Embracing Failure and Experimentation26:17 Building a Cultural Institution30:10 Balancing Business and Culture34:24 Unforgettable Moments at The Projector36:44 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs38:07 Conclusion

“Horror is like a rollercoaster ride, it mirrors us as human beings,” says Kenneth Dagatan, the film director behind the Philippines’ first scary film to premiere at the Sundance’s Midnight Section. On Crazy Smart Asia, Dagatan shares with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei his philosophy of horror beyond cheap thrills, the joy of directing with playfulness and why nothing scares him more than the realities of adulthood.Timestamps: 00:33 Meet Kenneth Dagatan: Filipino Horror Film Director01:34 Quick Fire Questions with Kenneth02:42 Kenneth's Favorite Horror and Non-Horror Films03:56 The Art of Atmospheric Horror07:11 Balancing Creativity and Adulthood08:50 Kenneth's Early Influences and Education12:48 Discovering Filmmaking in University14:10 The Journey of a Filmmaker21:51 The Role of Extras in Films24:58 Challenges of Filmmaking in the Philippines25:36 Background Talent and Acting Aspirations26:42 Success of 'In My Mother's Skin'29:13 The Journey of Making a Horror Film34:34 Differences in Horror Across Cultures37:39 Creative Process and Challenges44:23 Upcoming Projects and Advice47:10 Final Thoughts and Farewell

“Animation is a magical thing that can bring ideas and beauty to people who don’t get access,” says visual development artist Desiree Ong on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, Ong shares about the film that sparked her curiosity in animation, being a graphic designer for Guillermo del Toro’s award-winning stop-motion musical ‘Pinocchio’ and navigating the international film world as a Singaporean artist.Timestamps00:29 Meet Desiree Ong: Rising Visual Development Artist01:26 Quickfire Questions with Desiree04:22 Desiree's Journey in Animation14:05 Working with Guillermo del Toro on ‘Pinocchio’30:19 Challenges and Reflections34:07 Future Projects and Closing Remarks

“The more specific you are, the more global you are,” says Tan Si En, an award-winning Singaporean film producer and founder of Momo Film Co, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, they share why the best producers are like rivers – they flow with the bends, why the best films tell stories that are true to personal experiences, and dreams of an alternate career as a champagne grower.Timestamps 00:20 Meet Tan Si En: Award-Winning Producer01:06 Quickfire questions03:06 Tan Si En's Early Inspirations05:01 Journey to Becoming a Producer10:03 Founding Momo Film Co12:21 Collaborating with Southeast Asian Filmmakers20:02 Challenges and Successes in Film Production22:48 Future Projects and Aspirations33:22 Personal Passions and Final Thoughts34:34 Conclusion and Credits

“Being a film composer is about how good your instincts are,” says music composer Elliot Leung on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Hong Kong native discusses the process of composing big orchestral scores for blockbusters, why the ultimate compliment is the audience humming the main theme song in the bathroom after watching a film and why the voice memos app is his secret weapon in composition.00:34 Meet Elliot Leung: award-winning composer01:29 Quick fire questions 03:20 Elliot's musical journey06:06 Mentors and musical influences08:15 Transition from cellist to composer09:05 Breaking into the film industry13:40 Role and responsibilities of a film composer16:38 Designing memorable film scores17:38 The creative process behind 'Operation Red Sea'19:48 The Importance of musical pacing20:50 Mapping out the score21:34 The reality of creating film music25:29 Cultural differences in film scoring27:18 Experiencing the world through music31:07 Balancing creativity with deadlines34:17 Reflecting on the composer's role37:10 The unexpected side of composing38:17 Conclusion and credits

This week, we present five motivating quotes from the guests of Season 10 of Crazy Smart Asia. From understanding what real confidence looks like to grasping every opportunity that comes your way, these mind bombs tackle what it means to build a better world, better business or better you.If you enjoyed these short clips, why not go back and listen to the full episodes:Tech founder and ex-Green Beret Gene Yu on his journey from fighting terrorists to fighting online crimeBuilding an empire inspired by the K-pop business model, with Tier One Entertainment’s Tryke Gutierrez20,000 customers in 48 hours: YouTrip’s Caecilia Chu on nailing product-market fitPutting the Philippines on the global stage, with event and PR maestro Tim YapBeating death while building an eco empire, with Christophe BariouTimestamps00:00 Introduction and Season Reflection00:14 Real Confidence: Handling Failure00:53 Long-term Problem Solving01:52 Achieving Product-Market Fit02:41 Mastering Networking Skills03:21 Seizing the Moment: No Regrets04:14 Season Finale and What's Next

“In many ways, we are eating ourselves to our own extinction,” says Christophe Bariou, the co-founder of Dehusk, Maison Bukana and Maison Bukana Wines, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Filipino-French entrepreneur discusses overcoming a life-threatening cancer diagnosis in his twenties, living life with no regrets and his passion for veganism. 00:21 Meet Christophe Bariou: building a sustainable empire01:08 Quickfire questions02:28 Christophe's early life and influence06:52 Building a sustainable resort in the Philippines08:39 Facing a cancer diagnosis at 2616:39 Leadership lessons and business insights22:02 Advocating for veganism and sustainability25:34 Conclusion and final thoughts